How about "other".
Granted - I like the 1911, easy to conceal with proper holster and belt. One can learn to be very good with one. Reliable if one does not muck it up with gobbly gook.
Don't take offense, just some freindly advice that was passed to me as a wee brat, I was just raised a certain way and things were passed to folks who in turn passed to others.
I gather from posts that shooting is relatively new to you. In my day kids grew up shooting , it is what you did, we shot at school and guns in vehicles and gun racks the norm.
You need an affordable gun to allow you to shoot affordable ammo often to learn basic skills and to
correctly practice these skills.
I still feel the 22 lr revolver is the best way to learn the basics. Then move to a medium frame 38 spl. Again starting with a 22lr semi move to the 9mm.
This is how I was taught and untold numbers of persons were taught. Granted the good used .22 revolvers are pricey - I know the finances are a concern.
We DID NOT advise a student to buy a gun before they came to class. WE hated it when someone showed up because "daddy" or some family members bought one first. The worst thing was the student that bought what impiulse, emotion bought due to gun rags and internet.
By having the student "try before they buy" various platforms, starting with the revolver, then transitioning to the semis a number of things came to light.
MY critera for CCW /HD is simple:
Gun must fit shooter in a platform that with reliable ammo affords quick accurate hits.
If you can't hit squat with a .357 then don't use .357. Start with a mild .38spl load and work up through practice. One cannot buy skill and targets.
The 9mm and .45 were the most chosen for CCW. Of couse the students went nuts over the BHP and 1911, great platforms, single actions are gonna make anyone shoot better. The .40 was the least favorite, to sharp of recoil and no - we didn't use the BHP in .40 - I / We biased was not made that way plus the .40 brass gets in the 9mm and .45 - it is just wrong
Some students did not do well with DA/SA semis, all did better with SA like 1911 and BHP. DAO like platforms such as Glock 26 were another favorite - same trigger pull each time. Amazed a number of students the usefulness of a revolver in 38 spl. Smooth triggers, affordable ammo, no dependency or expense with mags or ammo feeding.
9 mm is affordable to shoot a lot to become proffiencent and to maintain skills. Glock 26 has the same triger pull each time, same with the 17 or 19 .
You really need to beg , borrow or steal a 22lr to practice. One gets in a slump, flat broke - whatever - that 22 lr will teach, get you back on track, and the ammo allows one to at least shoot 50 rds when the stomach is growling and the car needs gas.
Used police trade ins of Model 10, 6 shot revolvers made when guns were made right can be had for $200 and up with many only needing a cleaning and new grips. Ammo is affordable, get a friend to reload. No mags to worry with.
Find and older Buckmark or Ruger MK I or II. The plain Jane basic model with fixed sights, get an extra mag and BA/UU/R.
I think one student had $600 tied up in two guns like this, a Ruger MKI and a Model 10 snubby, ammo, holster for CCW and even bought a reactive spinner target for 22lr with 3 different size plates , and a set of used stocks that fit her hand better.
She saves her brass, a friend reloads , and as a single mom returning to college she can afford to shoot - lot ...and her shooting proves it!
Another broke college student bought a Glock 26, he buys Value Pks and is very good. When he gets out of school he can upgrade . Actually he wants to build a basic Gov't model using Caspian Frame and slide. First priority is school. He has a old Duramtic .22 lr semi for the really lean weeks to shoot.
Just a friendly suggestion.
